If you ever start reading a book for your blog, might I suggest not starting it the week you move. I managed to read the first eight chapters of Out of the Silent Planet, but I felt like I was in the eighth grade again, waiting until the last minute to write a book report.
I’ve read The Space Trilogy before, but some of the details are a little hazy. I didn’t remember how Ransom ended up on the spaceship and that he had two companions. There were some parts in the book, though, that cast a foreshadow; they brought to mind aspects of the sequels.
C.S. Lewis has a great way of creating characters and building worlds, as seen from the small glimpse we got of Malcandra. I also love the more philosophical elements of the chapters; Lewis has a tremendous way of finding depth in any circumstance.
Here are some other thoughts I had while reading the first eight chapters of Out of the Silent Planet.
Convicted and Compelled
The last thing Ransom wanted was an adventure, but a conviction that he ought to investigate the matter was already growing upon him.
There are a few times in these chapters when Ransom seemingly acted beyond his control. He didn’t really want to go look for Henry and he didn’t want to investigate the noises coming from behind the house. However, sometimes in life, we feel compelled to act even when acting doesn’t make sense. I think about the recent changes in my life: leaving a job I loved to hopefully pursue my truer calling. When it came to the decision to leave, though, Alycia and I felt like Ransom: we were simply convicted to move in that direction. I don’t know what compelled Ransom down his path (I actually do but no spoilers), but I know that it was definitely God’s will that compelled Alycia and me.
Space
My favorite portion of the first eight chapters was definitely Ransom’s experience with the glory of space. I marveled at Lewis’s description of space as a sea of life dotted with lifeless and dark planets. This section of the book also floored me:
And yet, he thought, beyond the solar system the brightness ends. Is that the real void, the real death? Unless . . . he groped for the idea . . . unless visible light is also a hole or gap, a mere diminution of something else. Something that is to bright unchanging heaven as heaven is to the dark, heavy earths. . . .
Lewis is a master at hinting to deeper, spiritual truths. He discussion of the true heaven is so much more effective than simply writing, “This universe pales in comparison to God’s throne room.” I felt almost as inspired as Ransom did, awash in pure sunlight. I know that there’s so much more than this dark, heavy earth, but I want to bring as much of the true heaven’s brightness to it as I can.
Purpose
The adventure was too high, its circumstance too solemn, for any emotion save a severe delight.
At the beginning of the story Ransom is wandering aimlessly through England, his only goal to find a roof over his head each night. I’m all for vacation and relaxing, but it seems like Ransom’s life lacked a little purpose. In spite of his kidnapping, though, he found a larger purpose for his life on his adventure to Malcandra. Finding a larger purpose should bring us great delight and excitement. I recently had a conversation with a former student who is helping to lead a junior high ministry. I was probably more excited for him than he was for himself. Partially because I already miss youth ministry, but mostly because I was excited he found a purpose. Our purpose could be in our work, in our ministry, with our families or anything else. We should strive to find it, though, because it will bring us great delight and potentially make a remarkable impact for God’s kingdom.
I’m excited to reread Out of the Silent Planet and I’m excited for the next chapters when the book really takes off. Lewis is a master storyteller and even though I know what’s going to happen (mostly), I can’t wait to see what happens.
What thoughts did you have from the first eight chapters of Out of the Silent Planet?
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